LIMA 2009 TO BE HELD FROM DEC 1-5, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- The 2009 Langkawi International
Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (LIMA 2009) will be held in Langkawi from December 1-5 next year at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said here Tuesday.

Abdullah, who is also Defence Minister, said that the expo was one of the
largest defence and civil showcases in the world regularly attracting the global
maritime and aerospace industry to the legendary island.

LIMA, which was previously co-organised by two separate maritime and
aerospace organisers, will from next year onwards be replaced by a single
organising structure, he told a press conference.

HW LIMA Sdn Bhd, the organiser of the highly-successful maritime segment of
LIMA since 1997, is now the overall organiser.

Abdullah, who officially launched LIMA 2009 Tuesday to mark the beginning
of
preparations for the event, also witnessed seven major corporations ink deals to
signify their participation as exhibitors for LIMA 2009.

They are BAE Systems (U.K.), Boustead Naval Shipyard, Eurocopter, National
Aerospace Defence Industries Sdn Bhd, Thales Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Sapura Group of
Companies and FINCANTIERI (Italy).